U.S. patent number 10,485,305 [Application Number 15/948,815] was granted by the patent office on 2019-11-26 for passenger safety belt buckles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rockwell Collins, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Rockwell Collins, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles Martin Hansson, Glenn A. Johnson, Jaan Lin, Thomas Martz, Michael Princip, Alex L. Velet, Brian P. Wenger.
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United States Patent |
10,485,305 |
Hansson , et al. |
November 26, 2019 |
Passenger safety belt buckles
Abstract
Passenger safety belt buckles are disclosed. In embodiments, a
safety belt buckle includes a base member and a release member
coupled to the base member. The release member is configured to
release a tongue held between the release member and the base
member when the release member is pulled away from the base member.
In an example embodiment, the release member is formed by a
plurality of printed device layers and a metal coating disposed
over the plurality of printed device layers. In another example
embodiment, the release member is formed by a plurality of printed
metal layers. In yet another example embodiment, the release member
includes a recess with an in-mold feature disposed within the
recess.
Inventors: |
Hansson; Charles Martin
(Winston-Salem, NC), Lin; Jaan (Winston-Salem, NC),
Wenger; Brian P. (Kernersville, NC), Princip; Michael
(Winston-Salem, NC), Velet; Alex L. (Clemmons, NC),
Martz; Thomas (Winston-Salem, NC), Johnson; Glenn A.
(Rural Hall, NC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rockwell Collins, Inc. |
Cedar Rapids |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Cedar
Rapids, IA)
|
Family
ID: |
66101926 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/948,815 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190307212 A1 |
Oct 10, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B
11/2546 (20130101); A44B 11/2503 (20130101); A44B
11/001 (20130101); A44B 11/2526 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A44B
11/00 (20060101); A44B 11/25 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2524978 |
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Oct 2015 |
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GB |
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2010112875 |
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Oct 2010 |
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WO |
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Other References
Partial European Search Report dated Jul. 15, 2019 for EP
Application No. 19167541.2. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Sandy; Robert
Assistant Examiner: Upchurch; David M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Suiter Swantz pc llo
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A safety belt buckle, comprising: a base member; and a release
member coupled to the base member, the release member configured to
release a tongue held between the release member and the base
member when the release member is pulled away from the base member,
the release member comprising a plurality of printed device layers
and a metal coating disposed over the plurality of printed device
layers.
2. The safety belt buckle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
printed device layers form three-dimensional pattern on the release
member.
3. The safety belt buckle of claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional
pattern includes a repeating pattern of geometric shapes.
4. The safety belt buckle of claim 2, further comprising a paint
layer disposed upon the three-dimensional pattern.
5. The safety belt buckle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
printed device layers form a three-dimensional graphic on the
release member.
6. The safety belt buckle of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional
graphic includes at least one of a brand name or a logo.
7. The safety belt buckle of claim 5, wherein the three-dimensional
graphic includes at least one of a promotional message or an
informational message.
8. The safety belt buckle of claim 5, further comprising a paint
layer disposed upon the three-dimensional graphic.
9. A safety belt buckle, comprising: a base member; and a release
member coupled to the base member, the release member configured to
release a tongue held between the release member and the base
member when the release member is pulled away from the base member,
the release member comprising a plurality of printed metal
layers.
10. The safety belt buckle of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
printed metal layers form three-dimensional pattern on the release
member.
11. The safety belt buckle of claim 10, wherein the
three-dimensional pattern includes a repeating pattern of geometric
shapes.
12. The safety belt buckle of claim 10, further comprising a paint
layer disposed upon the three-dimensional pattern.
13. The safety belt buckle of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
printed metal layers form a three-dimensional graphic on the
release member.
14. The safety belt buckle of claim 13, wherein the
three-dimensional graphic includes at least one of a brand name or
a logo.
15. The safety belt buckle of claim 13, wherein the
three-dimensional graphic includes at least one of a promotional
message or an informational message.
16. The safety belt buckle of claim 13, further comprising a paint
layer disposed upon the three-dimensional graphic.
Description
BACKGROUND
Vehicles for mass transport can include, but are not limited to,
aircrafts, boats, trains, and busses. The passenger cabins in these
types of vehicles are typically designed for long travel durations
(e.g., one or more hours of travel). Turbulence may be encountered
during travel, and as such, passengers are encouraged to wear
safety belts (e.g., seat belts) at all times when the passengers
are not moving throughout the cabin (e.g., to use the restroom, to
retrieve an item, etc.).
The structure and visual appearance of safety belt buckles can be
important. For example, it may be desirable to provide different
safety belt buckles for first class or business class cabins than
those provided for economy cabins. It can also be desirable to
provide customized safety belt buckles. Current techniques for
manufacturing safety belt buckles, such as metal casting, are not
well-suited for manufacturing small batches. Thus, customized
safety belt buckles may have a high expense. There is a need for
improved techniques for manufacturing safety belt buckles,
particularly customized safety belt buckles.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed
herein are directed to passenger safety belt buckle structures and
techniques for manufacturing the same. In embodiments, a safety
belt buckle includes a base member and a release member coupled to
the base member. The release member is configured to release a
tongue held between the release member and the base member when the
release member is pulled away from the base member. In an example
embodiment, the release member is formed by a plurality of printed
device layers and a metal coating disposed over the plurality of
printed device layers. In another example embodiment, the release
member is formed by a plurality of printed metal layers. In yet
another example embodiment, the release member includes a recess
with an in-mold feature disposed within the recess.
This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject
matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and
Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe
essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the
Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing
Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and
explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject
matter claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Implementations of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be
better understood when consideration is given to the following
detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to
the included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in
which some features may be exaggerated and some features may be
omitted or may be represented schematically in the interest of
clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings may represent and
refer to the same or similar element, feature, or function. In the
drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance
with an embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance
with an embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance
with an embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance
with an embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance
with an embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance
with an embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a top view of a safety belt buckle, in accordance with an
embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a release member of a
safety belt buckle, in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a release member of a
safety belt buckle, in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a release member of a
safety belt buckle, in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure;
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a release member of a
safety belt buckle, in accordance with an embodiment of this
disclosure;
FIG. 12A is an illustration of a three-dimensional printer for
manufacturing a safety belt buckle or a portion thereof, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 12B is an illustration of a three-dimensional printer for
manufacturing a safety belt buckle or a portion thereof, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 12C is an illustration of a three-dimensional printer for
manufacturing a safety belt buckle or a portion thereof, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 13 is an illustration of a system for applying a surface
coating to a safety belt buckle or a portion thereof, in accordance
with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 14B is a top plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
14A;
FIG. 14C is a front elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 14A;
FIG. 14D is a left side elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 14A;
FIG. 14E is a rear elevation view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
14A;
FIG. 14F is a right side elevation view of the safety belt buckle
of FIG. 14A
FIG. 14G is a bottom plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
14A;
FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 15B is a top plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
15A;
FIG. 15C is a front elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 15A;
FIG. 15D is a left side elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 15A;
FIG. 15E is a rear elevation view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
15A;
FIG. 15F is a right side elevation view of the safety belt buckle
of FIG. 15A;
FIG. 15G is a bottom plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
15A;
FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 16B is a top plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
16A;
FIG. 16C is a front elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 16A;
FIG. 16D is a left side elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 16A;
FIG. 16E is a rear elevation view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
16A;
FIG. 16F is a right side elevation view of the safety belt buckle
of FIG. 16A;
FIG. 16G is a bottom plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
16A;
FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 17B is a top plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
17A;
FIG. 17C is a front elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 17A;
FIG. 17D is a left side elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 17A;
FIG. 17E is a rear elevation view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
17A;
FIG. 17F is a right side elevation view of the safety belt buckle
of FIG. 17A;
FIG. 17G is a bottom plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
17A;
FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 18B is a top plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
18A;
FIG. 18C is a front elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 18A;
FIG. 18D is a left side elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 18A;
FIG. 18E is a rear elevation view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
18A;
FIG. 18F is a right side elevation view of the safety belt buckle
of FIG. 18A;
FIG. 18G is a bottom plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
18A;
FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a safety belt buckle, in
accordance with an example embodiment of this disclosure;
FIG. 19B is a top plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
19A;
FIG. 19C is a front elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 19A;
FIG. 19D is a left side elevation view of the safety belt buckle of
FIG. 19A;
FIG. 19E is a rear elevation view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
19A;
FIG. 19F is a right side elevation view of the safety belt buckle
of FIG. 19A; and
FIG. 19G is a bottom plan view of the safety belt buckle of FIG.
19A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts
disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the
inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of the components or
steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description
of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough
understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of
the instant disclosure that the inventive concepts disclosed herein
may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to
avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. The
inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other
embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended
to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be
similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described
element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a,
1b). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience
only, and should not be construed to limit the inventive concepts
disclosed herein in any way unless expressly stated to the
contrary.
Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an
inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A
or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or
present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not
present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or
present).
In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe
elements and components of embodiments of the instant inventive
concepts. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general
sense of the inventive concepts, and "a" and "an" are intended to
include one or at least one and the singular also includes the
plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Finally, as used herein any reference to "one embodiment," or "some
embodiments" means that a particular element, feature, structure,
or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts
disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase "in some
embodiments" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments
of the inventive concepts disclosed may include one or more of the
features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any
combination of sub-combination of two or more such features, along
with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly
described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.
Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are
directed to passenger safety belt buckle structures and techniques
for manufacturing the same. Traditional approaches for
manufacturing safety belt buckle structures, such as metal casting,
have worked well for various applications, but improvements in
additive manufacturing (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) printing) and
injection molding technology have opened up new possibilities for
creating safety belt buckle structures, particularly customized
safety belt buckle structures. In example embodiments of this
disclosure, a safety belt buckle release member and/or base member
may be formed by a plurality of printed device layers (e.g.,
printed metal and/or plastic device layers). For example, the
release member can be formed by a plurality of printed device
layers and a metal coating disposed over the plurality of printed
device layers and/or by a plurality of printed metal layers. In
this manner, the release member can be designed to include a 3D
pattern and/or a 3D graphic (e.g., brand name, logo, advertisement,
or any other symbol or text) on a top surface of the release
member. In another example embodiment, the release member can
include a recess with an in-mold feature disposed within the
recess. For example, the release member can have an in-mold feature
that includes a pattern, logo, image, text, or the like, embedded
within a top surface of the release member.
FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate example embodiments of a safety belt
buckle 100 in accordance with various implementations. The safety
belt buckle 100 includes a base member 102 and a release member 104
coupled to the base member. The release member 104 is configured to
release a tongue held between the release member and the base
member 102 when the release member 104 is pulled away from the base
member 102. For example, a safety belt may include two strap
portions that wrap around a passenger to secure the passenger to a
seat or any other passenger support structure. The safety belt may
have a tongue coupled to an end of a first strap portion and a
safety belt buckle 100 coupled to an end of a second strap portion.
The tongue can be configured to mate with the safety belt buckle
100. For example, the safety belt buckle 100 can include a slot 106
disposed at a front portion of the safety belt buckle 100 and
configured to receive the tongue. The tongue is then held in
between the base member 102 and the release member 104 until the
passenger lifts or pulls the release member 104 away from the base
member 102 to unlatch the tongue from the safety belt buckle
100.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the safety belt buckle 100 can be
manufactured to have various design features and/or according to
different form factors. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates an example
embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 with a simple design. FIG.
2 illustrates an example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100
with a more complex design that includes a 3D pattern 108 of
parallelograms formed on a top surface of the release member 104.
The safety belt buckle 100 can also include other indentations or
protuberances formed on the release member 104 and/or the base
member 102. The safety belt buckle 100 may also include paint or
other colored material (e.g., colored plastic, rubber, or metal)
formed on the top surface, upon protuberances on the top surface,
and/or within indentations formed in the top surface of the release
member 104. FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate example embodiments of
the safety belt buckle 100 with 3D patterns 108 on the top surface
of the release member 104. In some embodiments, the 3D pattern 108
on a release member 104 (and/or a base member 102) includes a
repeating pattern of geometric shapes. For example, the 3D pattern
108 in FIG. 4 includes repeating diamonds, and the 3D pattern in
FIG. 5 includes repeating chevrons.
FIG. 3 illustrates another example embodiment of the safety belt
buckle 100 with a complex design that includes raised edges on the
release member 104 for a more distinctive appearance. FIG. 6
illustrates an example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100
with a design similar to the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 3, where the release member 104 includes a recess 110 with an
in-mold feature 112 disposed (e.g., embedded) within the recess
110. For example, the in-mold feature 112 can be injection molded
with the release member 104 structure and/or the release member 104
structure can be cast around the in-mold feature 112. It is noted
that while an in-mold feature 112 is shown in combination with the
safety belt buckle 100 structure of FIG. 3, any other safety belt
buckle 100 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 4) can include an
in-mold feature 112. In some embodiments, the in-mold feature 112
includes a pattern (e.g., a geometric pattern) or design. The
in-mold feature 112 can additionally or alternatively include a
brand name, a logo, and/or a message. In some embodiments, the
in-mold feature 112 includes an informational message (e.g., a
safety message or warning). In other embodiments, the in-mold
feature 112 includes a promotional message (e.g., an
advertisement). For example, the in-mold feature 112 can include an
advertisement paid for by a commercial entity wishing to advertise
products or services on an aircraft or other vehicle (e.g., bus,
train, etc.) that includes the safety belt buckles 100.
In some implementations, an in-mold labeling (IML) or in-mold
decorating (IMD) process can be used to add an in-mold feature 112
comprising a thin sheet/film embedded within the top surface of the
release member 104 (e.g., where the release member 104 may be an
injection molded structure). The sheet/film may have ink applied to
the sheet/film. For example, the ink can be printed in the form of
a pattern, grain, wording, miscellaneous branding, etc. This ink
could be a single color or multicolor. The ink could also be
applied to either side of the sheet/film. The sheet/film could
range in thickness and texture type (including soft touch).
Techniques other than IML/IMD can be implemented to achieve desired
effects. This can include, but is not limited to, metallic pigments
in the material, in mold painting, hydro dipping, electroplating,
vacuum metalization, thermo/pressure forming, etc.
In other implementations, the in-mold feature 112 includes a film,
sheet, or injection molded chip of plastic can be integrated into a
designated area of the release member 104. This film, sheet, or
injection molded chip can be held in with adhesive, mechanically,
magnetically, or by other similar means. The film, sheet, or
injection molded chip may have the option to be permanent or
removable (e.g., interchangeable).
Various techniques can be used to embed an in-mold feature 112
within the release member 104 structure. For example, in some
implementations, ink is printed on a sheet/film (potentially with a
distorted image to compensate for the stretching/warping during the
forming process). The sheet/film is thermoformed, pressure formed,
or formed by any other forming technology to create the shape of
the part. The sheet/film can be trimmed down to the desired shape
of the part. Static electricity, mechanical fixtures, or other
tools or devices are used to hold the sheet/film into an injection
mold. Molten plastic is then flown into the mold behind the
sheet/film, filling the cavity and causing the sheet/film and
injection molding material to become one complete item (e.g., the
release member 104 with the in-mold feature 112 embedded
therein).
FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of the safety belt buckle
100 with the release member 104 including a 3D graphic 114 printed
on a top surface of the release member 104. For example, the 3D
graphic 114 may be formed by one or more printed device layers of a
plurality of printed device layers that form the release member 104
and/or the base member 102 of the safety belt buckle 100. In some
embodiments, the 3D graphic 114 includes a 3D pattern (e.g., a
geometric pattern) or design. The 3D graphic 114 can additionally
or alternatively include a brand name, a logo, and/or a message. In
some embodiments, the 3D graphic 114 includes an informational
message (e.g., a safety message or warning). In other embodiments,
the 3D graphic 114 includes a promotional message (e.g., an
advertisement). For example, the 3D graphic 114 can include an
advertisement paid for by a commercial entity wishing to advertise
products or services on an aircraft or other vehicle (e.g., bus,
train, etc.) that includes the safety belt buckles 100. In some
embodiments, the 3D graphic 114 has paint or other colored material
(e.g., colored plastic, rubber, or metal) disposed upon and/or
forming a portion of the 3D graphic 114.
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release member 104
of the safety belt buckle 100 in accordance with an example
embodiment of this disclosure. The release member 104 can be formed
by a plurality of printed device layers 116 (e.g., printed metal
and/or plastic device layers). In an example embodiment, the
printed device layers 116 are metal device layers formed on top of
one another using a 3D printer or other type of additive
manufacturing device. One or more of the printed device layers 116
can form a 3D pattern 108 on a top surface of the release member
104. In some embodiments, a colored layer 118 (e.g., a paint layer,
other colored material, and/or another (colored) printed device
layer) is disposed upon the 3D pattern 108 to form colored portions
of the 3D pattern 108.
FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release member 104
of the safety belt buckle 100 in accordance with another example
embodiment of this disclosure. The release member 104 can be formed
by a plurality of printed device layers 120 (e.g., printed metal
and/or plastic device layers). A surface coating 122 (e.g.,
metallic coating, plastic coating, rubberized coating, or the like)
can then be applied over the plurality of printed device layers
120. In an example embodiment, the printed device layers 120 are
plastic device layers formed on top of one another using a 3D
printer or other type of additive manufacturing device, and the
surface coating 122 is a metal coating disposed upon the plurality
of printed device layers 120. One or more of the printed device
layers 120 can form a 3D pattern 108 on a top surface of the
release member 104. In some embodiments, a colored layer 118 (e.g.,
a paint layer, other colored material, and/or another (colored)
printed device layer) is disposed upon the 3D pattern 108 to form
colored portions of the 3D pattern 108.
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release member
104 of the safety belt buckle 100 in accordance with another
example embodiment of this disclosure. The release member 104 can
be formed by a plurality of printed device layers 116 (e.g.,
printed metal and/or plastic device layers). In an example
embodiment, the printed device layers 116 are metal device layers
formed on top of one another using a 3D printer or other type of
additive manufacturing device. One or more of the printed device
layers 116 can form a 3D graphic 114 on a top surface of the
release member 104. In some embodiments, a colored layer 118 (e.g.,
a paint layer, other colored material, and/or another (colored)
printed device layer) is disposed upon the 3D graphic 114 to form
colored portions of the 3D graphic 114.
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release member
104 of the safety belt buckle 100 in accordance with another
example embodiment of this disclosure. The release member 104 can
be formed by a plurality of printed device layers 120 (e.g.,
printed metal and/or plastic device layers). A surface coating 122
(e.g., metallic coating, plastic coating, rubberized coating, or
the like) can then be applied over the plurality of printed device
layers 120. In an example embodiment, the printed device layers 120
are plastic device layers formed on top of one another using a 3D
printer or other type of additive manufacturing device, and the
surface coating 122 is a metal coating disposed upon the plurality
of printed device layers 120. One or more of the printed device
layers 120 can form a 3D graphic 114 on a top surface of the
release member 104. In some embodiments, a colored layer 118 (e.g.,
a paint layer, other colored material, and/or another (colored)
printed device layer) is disposed upon the 3D graphic 114 to form
colored portions of the 3D graphic 114.
FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate an example embodiment of a 3D
printer 200 forming a plurality of printed device layers (e.g.,
printed device layers 116 or 120) to manufacture a safety belt
buckle 100 or at least a portion thereof (e.g., the base member 102
and/or the release member 104). In embodiments, the 3D printer 200
includes one or more feeders configured to feed one or more strands
of device material (e.g., metal and/or plastic 3D print filament)
to a print nozzle 202 (or an assembly of print nozzles). The 3D
printer 200 may further include a stage 206 configured to support
printed device layers and an arm 204 configured to hold the print
nozzle 202 above the stage 206. The stage 206 and/or the arm 204
can be configured to actuate (e.g., up, down, forwards, backwards,
and/or sideways) so that the printed device layers can be disposed
upon one another to form a 3D printed structure (e.g., base member
102 and/or release member 104). The 3D printer 200 illustrated in
FIGS. 12A through 12C is provided as an example, and it is to be
understood that other types of 3D printers can be employed.
In embodiments, the base member 102 and/or release member 104
structures (e.g., printed device layers 116 or 120) may be formed
from any 3D printing material or combination of materials that meet
structural specifications for the safety belt buckle 100 structures
described herein. Some examples of 3D printing materials include,
but are not limited to: Polylactic Acid (PLA) printing filament;
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) printing filament; PRO Series
PLA printing filament; PRO Series ABS printing filament; Polyamide
(aka Nylon) printing filament; Polyamide With Chopped Carbon Fiber
Strands (aka NylonX) printing filament; PRO Series Nylon printing
filament; Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) printing filament; PETG
printing filament; PETT printing filament; PRO Series PET, PETG, or
PETT printing filament; Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA)
printing filament; PolyPropylene (PP) printing filament; and
combinations thereof. Any combination of the foregoing device
materials may be included in example embodiments of the safety belt
buckle 100 described herein. However, the foregoing list of device
materials is not exhaustive, and it is contemplated that other
device materials with similar structural properties and/or metals
can be used in combination with or in place of the listed device
materials.
In some embodiments, the safety belt buckle 100 or at least a
portion thereof (e.g., base member 102 and/or release member 104)
is plated or otherwise covered by a surface coating 122 (e.g., a
metal coating). For example, FIGS. 9 and 11 illustrate example
embodiments of the safety belt buckle 100 with a surface coating
122 disposed upon the printed layers 120 that form the release
member 104. In an example implementation, the surface coating 122
is applied by a coating system 300 that includes a conveyer 302
configured to transport the safety belt buckle 100 or at least a
portion thereof (e.g., base member 102 and/or release member 104)
to a container 304 with surface coating material 122 (e.g.,
electroplating solution) disposed therein. The safety belt buckle
100 structure (e.g., base member 102 and/or release member 104) can
then be submerged within the surface coating material 122 to cover
the safety belt buckle 100 structure (e.g., base member 102 and/or
release member 104) with the surface coating 122. In other
implementations, the surface coating material 122 can be poured
onto or otherwise deposited onto the surface of the safety belt
buckle 100 structure (e.g., base member 102 and/or release member
104).
FIGS. 14A through 19G illustrate additional views of some of the
example embodiments of the safety belt buckle 100 described herein.
For example, FIGS. 14A through 14G illustrate additional views of
the example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 2; FIGS. 15A through 15G illustrate additional views of the
example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 3; FIGS. 16A through 16G illustrate additional views of the
example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 6; FIGS. 17A through 17G illustrate additional views of the
example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 1; FIGS. 18A through 18G illustrate additional views of the
example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 4; and FIGS. 19A through 19G illustrate additional views of
the example embodiment of the safety belt buckle 100 illustrated in
FIG. 5.
It is to be understood that embodiments of the methods according to
the inventive concepts disclosed herein may include one or more of
the steps described herein. Further, such steps may be carried out
in any desired order and two or more of the steps may be carried
out simultaneously with one another. Two or more of the steps
disclosed herein may be combined in a single step, and in some
embodiments, one or more of the steps may be carried out as two or
more sub-steps. Further, other steps or sub-steps may be carried in
addition to, or as substitutes to one or more of the steps
disclosed herein.
From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concepts
disclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objects and to
attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in
the inventive concepts disclosed herein. While presently preferred
embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have been
described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood
that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished
within the broad scope and coverage of the inventive concepts
disclosed and claimed herein.
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